2018 Specialized S Works Carbon Phenom Saddle Review
Specialized Phenom Skilful Review
The Phenom Proficient delivers on all levels; the synthesis of functioning and comfort will never get out you asking for more than
Cost: $130 Listing
Pros: Comfortable, lightweight, durable.
Cons: None
Manufacturer: Specialized
Past Curtis Smith ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ Feb 9, 2017
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Our Verdict
The Specialized Phenom is the winner of our Editors' Choice Laurels. It received our highest comfort rating while maintaining a competitive weight of 245g, but it can be difficult to discover. Your local store or the Specialized website are the all-time places to expect for this awesome saddle. If you're looking for a bike saddle immediately, consider our Top Choice, the Fabric Scoop, which outscored the Phenom in the weight category.
Designed equally a high-performance XC race saddle, it does not disappoint. It provides excellent power transfer, and a multitude of possible positions allow the passenger to get into a good position no affair the demands of the trail or road. Despite the design intent, the Phenom is i of those rare saddles that works equally well for both road and mountain wheel apply. Universally liked by all of our testers, we could not find a type of bike that did non benefit from an upgrade to the Phenom.
With all the praise that the Phenom received from our testers, information technology as well saw a huge amount of use and abuse. Despite endless crashes and lots of riding in the well-nigh abusive conditions, the Phenom came out of testing virtually unscathed. This contender will cost you almost three times as much as our Best Buy winner, the WTB Speed Comp, but it outperforms the Speed in every category. The Phenom is probable to stay firmly clamped on our testers rigs for some time to come.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Hands-On Review
The Specialized Phenom Skillful is the winner of our Editors' Choice Award. As the favorite among our testers, it was taken on many adventures.
Credit: Curtis Smith
Comfort
The Phenom is relatively flat from nose to tail, with a very slight rise at the tail. Generous padding, a stiff shell, and a total anatomical cutout make this a very comfortable saddle. The padding is not near as plush every bit what you will find on saddles such as the WTB Speed Comp, only for a performance-oriented race saddle, information technology is thicker than expected. At 142mm in width, information technology is identical in width to the Top Pick Material Scoop and falls within the 140mm-145mm range that was well liked by the majority of our testers.
Specialized incorporates what they call Adaptive Edge applied science. If it sounds similar marketing hyperbole, residual bodacious information technology is non. The edges of the saddle are designed to flex and suit to the rider. We found the flex to be noticeable and a comfort enhancement compared to the previous version of the Phenom that was very rigid across the full width of the saddle.
The full anatomical cutout is well positioned and offers relief to those who complain of force per unit area and numbness on long rides. Beyond the anatomical cut out, you lot will still observe a narrow fractional cutout aqueduct to relieve force per unit area during those hard seated efforts when weight shifts frontwards on the saddle. Specialized goes to not bad lengths to ensure that its saddles exercise not compromise claret catamenia or put pressure on nerves. The nose is well padded and offers good back up when down in the drops during hard efforts. The padding is not most as substantial as some other saddles in our exam group, such every bit the Selle SMP Extra Saddle and the Best Purchase WTB Speed, but the shape and well placed padding combined get our highest overall rating for condolement.
The Specialized Phenom Skilful features a full anatomical cutout and a deep channel to prevent numbness and discomfort.
Credit: Curtis Smith
Performance
Specialized designed the Phenom for racing. Ability transfer is first-class, and the flat shape and polish cover allow for easy position changes. The beat out is stiff and there is no loss of power during hard seated efforts. Despite the firm crush, the Adaptive Border base does flex at the edges of the saddle. This flex essential moves the edge out of the way for unimpeded pedal strokes. In addition to the flex, ultra glace panels are constitute on the edges of the saddle that aids in preventing friction betwixt the within of the thigh while pedaling.
We found the Phenom to be an excellent pick for riders who like an aggressive position also equally those who prefer to be more upright. Fabric Scoop offers a similar level of power transfer and operation, merely it is designed to be used in a more aggressive depression position. While some saddles designed for a more forrad reaching aggressive position can go out the upright rider without adequate support, we did not have this issue with the Phenom. This accolade winner is comfortable but gives nothing up when it comes to performance.
The Specialized Phenom Expert has a strong carbon reinforced trounce and titanium runway.
Credit: Curtis Smith
Durability
While nosotros would cease curt at calling the Phenom indestructible,fifty it is one tough saddle. Despite lots of hard use and multiple crashes on the mountain bike, nosotros accept been unable to even scuff this saddle. The tail of the saddle is protected from abrasion by an extension of the hard plastic shell beyond the encompass material. The Fizik Monte is another high scoring saddle for immovability, merely we adopt the plastic scuff edging on the Phenom to the Cordura scuff guards used on the Monte. While Cordura is tough, it is still prone to abrasion where the plastic scuff guards on the Phenom tin withstand more repeated abuse.
A carbon fiber reinforced plastic crush prevents sagging even after extended use, and the hollow titanium rails are as tough as they are lite. The cover material is constructed, and has no seams or raised areas that would exist prone to chafe from pedaling effort. The cover is similar to the synthetic cover found on the Fabric Scoop simply feels more than substantial and almost rubber like in comparing. Our but complaint is the micro perforations in the encompass; they are designed to enhance ventilation, but we found that they easily get filled with mud and clay, and are hard to clean out.
Versatility
The Phenom was designed for 90 mountain wheel racing. It excels at its intended purpose, but we found it to exist every bit good for cyclocross, and road use. Information technology scores higher than the Fabric Scoop, thanks to its ability to role well across a range of cycling disciplines. It does have a full cutout, which we would adopt not to come across in a cyclocross saddle, due to mud and h2o issues. Other than the cutout, we have no complaints and cannot remember of a utilise we would not recommend the Phenom for. Very few saddles can truly perform without compromise for multiple disciplines of riding, but the Phenom is the best saddle we take tested when it comes to versatility. It also includes threaded SWAT uniform mounts on the lesser of the saddle. These mounts can be used with Specialized SWAT products for carrying tools or flat repair kits.
The Specialized Phenom provides a keen platform for hard efforts. Curtis Smith chasing an unknown rider, Sierra Loving cup Xc, Squaw Valley, CA.
Credit: Cindy Smith
Weight
Not the lightest saddle in the examination group at 241g, just nonetheless lite enough to satisfy the gram counters. The Peak Option Textile Scoop Pro weighs just 176g merely lacks some of the features of the Phenom, such equally the rubber scuff guards. In exchange for a bit more weight, you get enhanced durability and comfort. The SWAT mounting inserts also increase weight just heighten versatility.
All-time Application
The Phenom is unfazed subsequently a difficult cyclocross race, which is more than we tin can say for the rider, Curtis Smith.
Credit: Cindy Smith
The Phenom is truly at home on an Ninety race bike. If you are looking for a no compromise saddle for 90 grooming and racing, this i is for you lot. That said, the Phenom is capable and well suited to route and cyclocross also. Its high marks in comfort also make it well suited to trail riding, and we even like information technology for touring and commuting. While comfort and durability make it a jack-of-all-trades, high performance makes it a winner for the competitive racer every bit well.
Value
Well synthetic and durable, this cycle saddle should provide many trouble free miles of utilise. With a cost tag of $130, it is a great purchase. You become a high-operation saddle at a competitive weight, and it tin can be used on about whatever blazon of wheel yous accept.
Conclusion
The Specialized Phenom Skillful takes our top award for its amazing performance characteristics, and a level of versatility that is unmatched. Information technology is rare to discover a saddle that can do it all, and even more unheard of to observe ane that does information technology all without compromise. The Phenom strikes the balance of pro-level operation with all-day comfort, and while not cheap, it is far from the most expensive saddle nosotros tested.
Curtis Smith on the Editors' Choice Specialized Phenom, Squaw Valley, CA.
Credit: Curtis Smith
Other Versions
Phenom Pro
- Cost - $200 ($70 more than Phenom Adept)
- Weight - 193g (55g less than Phenom Expert)
- Sizes - 130mm, 143mm, and 155mm (Same as Phenom Expert)
- Equipped with carbon rails
Phenom Comp
- Cost - $100 ($xxx less than Phenom Expert)
- Weight - 254g (6g more than Phenom Good)
- Sizes - 130mm, 143mm, and 155mm (Same every bit Phenom Proficient)
- Calorie-free and super-durable, hollow Cr-Mo rails
Specialized Power Expert
- Cost - $130
- Weight - 238 g
- High performance
- Unique look and blueprint
— Curtis Smith
Source: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/biking/bike-saddle/specialized-phenom-expert
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